SB1561enr 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB1561 Enrolled LRB102 17210 LNS 22668 b

AN ACT concerning human rights.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Human Rights Act is amended by changing Sections 1-103, 2-105, 5A-101.1, 6-101, 7A-101, 7B-101, 7B-102, 8A-101, and 8B-101 and by adding Sections 3-102.10 and 6-101.5 as follows:

(775 ILCS 5/1-103) (from Ch. 68, par. 1-103)

Sec. 1-103. General definitions. When used in this Act, unless the context requires otherwise, the term:

(A) Age. "Age" means the chronological age of a person who is at least 40 years old, except with regard to any practice described in Section 2-102, insofar as that practice concerns training or apprenticeship programs. In the case of training or apprenticeship programs, for the purposes of Section 2-102, "age" means the chronological age of a person who is 18 but not yet 40 years old.

(B) Aggrieved party. "Aggrieved party" means a person who is alleged or proved to have been injured by a civil rights violation or believes he or she will be injured by a civil rights violation under Article 3 that is about to occur.

(B-5) Arrest record. "Arrest record" means:

(1) an arrest not leading to a conviction;

(2) a juvenile record; or

(3) criminal history record information ordered expunged, sealed, or impounded under Section 5.2 of the Criminal Identification Act.

(C) Charge. "Charge" means an allegation filed with the Department by an aggrieved party or initiated by the Department under its authority.

(D) Civil rights violation. "Civil rights violation" includes and shall be limited to only those specific acts set forth in Sections 2-102, 2-103, 2-105, 3-102, 3-102.1, 3-103, 3-102.10 3-104, 3-104.1, 3-105, 3-105.1, 4-102, 4-103, 5-102, 5A-102, 6-101, 6-101.5, and 6-102 of this Act.

(E) Commission. "Commission" means the Human Rights Commission created by this Act.

(F) Complaint. "Complaint" means the formal pleading filed by the Department with the Commission following an investigation and finding of substantial evidence of a civil rights violation.

(G) Complainant. "Complainant" means a person including the Department who files a charge of civil rights violation with the Department or the Commission.

(H) Department. "Department" means the Department of Human Rights created by this Act.

(I) Disability. "Disability" means a determinable physical or mental characteristic of a person, including, but not limited to, a determinable physical characteristic which necessitates the person's use of a guide, hearing or support dog, the history of such characteristic, or the perception of such characteristic by the person complained against, which may result from disease, injury, congenital condition of birth or functional disorder and which characteristic:

(1) For purposes of Article 2, is unrelated to the person's ability to perform the duties of a particular job or position and, pursuant to Section 2-104 of this Act, a person's illegal use of drugs or alcohol is not a disability;

(2) For purposes of Article 3, is unrelated to the person's ability to acquire, rent, or maintain a housing accommodation;

(3) For purposes of Article 4, is unrelated to a person's ability to repay;

(4) For purposes of Article 5, is unrelated to a person's ability to utilize and benefit from a place of public accommodation;

(5) For purposes of Article 5, also includes any mental, psychological, or developmental disability, including autism spectrum disorders.

(J) Marital status. "Marital status" means the legal status of being married, single, separated, divorced, or widowed.

(J-1) Military status. "Military status" means a person's status on active duty in or status as a veteran of the armed forces of the United States, status as a current member or veteran of any reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the United States Army Reserve, United States Marine Corps Reserve, United States Navy Reserve, United States Air Force Reserve, and United States Coast Guard Reserve, or status as a current member or veteran of the Illinois Army National Guard or Illinois Air National Guard.

(K) National origin. "National origin" means the place in which a person or one of his or her ancestors was born.

(K-5) "Order of protection status" means a person's status as being a person protected under an order of protection issued pursuant to the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986, Article 112A of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963, the Stalking No Contact Order Act, or the Civil No Contact Order Act, or an order of protection issued by a court of another state.

(L) Person. "Person" includes one or more individuals, partnerships, associations or organizations, labor organizations, labor unions, joint apprenticeship committees, or union labor associations, corporations, the State of Illinois and its instrumentalities, political subdivisions, units of local government, legal representatives, trustees in bankruptcy or receivers.

(L-5) Pregnancy. "Pregnancy" means pregnancy, childbirth, or medical or common conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth.

(M) Public contract. "Public contract" includes every contract to which the State, any of its political subdivisions, or any municipal corporation is a party.

(N) Religion. "Religion" includes all aspects of religious observance and practice, as well as belief, except that with respect to employers, for the purposes of Article 2, "religion" has the meaning ascribed to it in paragraph (F) of Section 2-101.

(O) Sex. "Sex" means the status of being male or female.

(O-1) Sexual orientation. "Sexual orientation" means actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, or gender-related identity, whether or not traditionally associated with the person's designated sex at birth. "Sexual orientation" does not include a physical or sexual attraction to a minor by an adult.

(P) Unfavorable military discharge. "Unfavorable military discharge" includes discharges from the Armed Forces of the United States, their Reserve components, or any National Guard or Naval Militia which are classified as RE-3 or the equivalent thereof, but does not include those characterized as RE-4 or "Dishonorable".

(Q) Unlawful discrimination. "Unlawful discrimination" means discrimination against a person because of his or her actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, order of protection status, disability, military status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or unfavorable discharge from military service as those terms are defined in this Section.

(Source: P.A. 100-714, eff. 1-1-19; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19; 101-221, eff. 1-1-20; 101-565, eff. 1-1-20; revised 9-18-19.)

(775 ILCS 5/2-105) (from Ch. 68, par. 2-105)

Sec. 2-105. Equal Employment Opportunities; Affirmative Action.

(A) Public Contracts. Every party to a public contract and every eligible bidder shall:

(1) Refrain from unlawful discrimination and discrimination based on citizenship status in employment and undertake affirmative action to assure equality of employment opportunity and eliminate the effects of past discrimination;

(2) Comply with the procedures and requirements of the Department's regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action;

(3) Provide such information, with respect to its employees and applicants for employment, and assistance as the Department may reasonably request;

(4) Have written sexual harassment policies that shall include, at a minimum, the following information: (i) the illegality of sexual harassment; (ii) the definition of sexual harassment under State law; (iii) a description of sexual harassment, utilizing examples; (iv) the vendor's internal complaint process including penalties; (v) the legal recourse, investigative and complaint process available through the Department and the Commission; (vi) directions on how to contact the Department and Commission; and (vii) protection against retaliation as provided by Sections Section 6-101 and 6-101.5 of this Act. A copy of the policies shall be provided to the Department upon request. Additionally, each bidder who submits a bid or offer for a State contract under the Illinois Procurement Code shall have a written copy of the bidder's sexual harassment policy as required under this paragraph (4). A copy of the policy shall be provided to the State agency entering into the contract upon request.

(B) State Agencies. Every State executive department, State agency, board, commission, and instrumentality shall:

(1) Comply with the procedures and requirements of the Department's regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action;

(2) Provide such information and assistance as the Department may request.

(3) Establish, maintain, and carry out a continuing affirmative action plan consistent with this Act and the regulations of the Department designed to promote equal opportunity for all State residents in every aspect of agency personnel policy and practice. For purposes of these affirmative action plans, the race and national origin categories to be included in the plans are: American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander.

This plan shall include a current detailed status report:

(a) indicating, by each position in State service, the number, percentage, and average salary of individuals employed by race, national origin, sex and disability, and any other category that the Department may require by rule;

(b) identifying all positions in which the percentage of the people employed by race, national origin, sex and disability, and any other category that the Department may require by rule, is less than four-fifths of the percentage of each of those components in the State work force;

(c) specifying the goals and methods for increasing the percentage by race, national origin, sex and disability, and any other category that the Department may require by rule, in State positions;

(d) indicating progress and problems toward meeting equal employment opportunity goals, including, if applicable, but not limited to, Department of Central Management Services recruitment efforts, publicity, promotions, and use of options designating positions by linguistic abilities;

(e) establishing a numerical hiring goal for the employment of qualified persons with disabilities in the agency as a whole, to be based on the proportion of people with work disabilities in the Illinois labor force as reflected in the most recent employment data made available by the United States Census Bureau.

(4) If the agency has 1000 or more employees, appoint a full-time Equal Employment Opportunity officer, subject to the Department's approval, whose duties shall include:

(a) Advising the head of the particular State agency with respect to the preparation of equal employment opportunity programs, procedures, regulations, reports, and the agency's affirmative action plan.

(b) Evaluating in writing each fiscal year the sufficiency of the total agency program for equal employment opportunity and reporting thereon to the head of the agency with recommendations as to any improvement or correction in recruiting, hiring or promotion needed, including remedial or disciplinary action with respect to managerial or supervisory employees who have failed to cooperate fully or who are in violation of the program.

(c) Making changes in recruitment, training and promotion programs and in hiring and promotion procedures designed to eliminate discriminatory practices when authorized.

(d) Evaluating tests, employment policies, practices and qualifications and reporting to the head of the agency and to the Department any policies, practices and qualifications that have unequal impact by race, national origin as required by Department rule, sex or disability or any other category that the Department may require by rule, and to assist in the recruitment of people in underrepresented classifications. This function shall be performed in cooperation with the State Department of Central Management Services.

(e) Making any aggrieved employee or applicant for employment aware of his or her remedies under this Act.

In any meeting, investigation, negotiation, conference, or other proceeding between a State employee and an Equal Employment Opportunity officer, a State employee (1) who is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement and (2) who is the complaining party or the subject of such proceeding may be accompanied, advised and represented by (1) an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois or (2) a representative of an employee organization whose membership is composed of employees of the State and of which the employee is a member. A representative of an employee, other than an attorney, may observe but may not actively participate, or advise the State employee during the course of such meeting, investigation, negotiation, conference or other proceeding. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to permit any person who is not licensed to practice law in Illinois to deliver any legal services or otherwise engage in any activities that would constitute the unauthorized practice of law. Any representative of an employee who is present with the consent of the employee, shall not, during or after termination of the relationship permitted by this Section with the State employee, use or reveal any information obtained during the course of the meeting, investigation, negotiation, conference or other proceeding without the consent of the complaining party and any State employee who is the subject of the proceeding and pursuant to rules and regulations governing confidentiality of such information as promulgated by the appropriate State agency. Intentional or reckless disclosure of information in violation of these confidentiality requirements shall constitute a Class B misdemeanor.

(5) Establish, maintain and carry out a continuing sexual harassment program that shall include the following:

(a) Develop a written sexual harassment policy that includes at a minimum the following information: (i) the illegality of sexual harassment; (ii) the definition of sexual harassment under State law; (iii) a description of sexual harassment, utilizing examples; (iv) the agency's internal complaint process including penalties; (v) the legal recourse, investigative and complaint process available through the Department and the Commission; (vi) directions on how to contact the Department and Commission; and (vii) protection against retaliation as provided by Section 6-101 of this Act. The policy shall be reviewed annually.

(b) Post in a prominent and accessible location and distribute in a manner to assure notice to all agency employees without exception the agency's sexual harassment policy. Such documents may meet, but shall not exceed, the 6th grade literacy level. Distribution shall be effectuated within 90 days of the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1992 and shall occur annually thereafter.

(c) Provide training on sexual harassment prevention and the agency's sexual harassment policy as a component of all ongoing or new employee training programs.

(6) Notify the Department 30 days before effecting any layoff. Once notice is given, the following shall occur:

(a) No layoff may be effective earlier than 10 working days after notice to the Department, unless an emergency layoff situation exists.

(b) The State executive department, State agency, board, commission, or instrumentality in which the layoffs are to occur must notify each employee targeted for layoff, the employee's union representative (if applicable), and the State Dislocated Worker Unit at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

(c) The State executive department, State agency, board, commission, or instrumentality in which the layoffs are to occur must conform to applicable collective bargaining agreements.

(d) The State executive department, State agency, board, commission, or instrumentality in which the layoffs are to occur should notify each employee targeted for layoff that transitional assistance may be available to him or her under the Economic Dislocation and Worker Adjustment Assistance Act administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Failure to give such notice shall not invalidate the layoff or postpone its effective date.

As used in this subsection (B), "disability" shall be defined in rules promulgated under the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

(C) Civil Rights Violations. It is a civil rights violation for any public contractor or eligible bidder to:

(1) fail to comply with the public contractor's or eligible bidder's duty to refrain from unlawful discrimination and discrimination based on citizenship status in employment under subsection (A)(1) of this Section; or

(2) fail to comply with the public contractor's or eligible bidder's duties of affirmative action under subsection (A) of this Section, provided however, that the Department has notified the public contractor or eligible bidder in writing by certified mail that the public contractor or eligible bidder may not be in compliance with affirmative action requirements of subsection (A). A minimum of 60 days to comply with the requirements shall be afforded to the public contractor or eligible bidder before the Department may issue formal notice of non-compliance.

(D) As used in this Section:

(1) "American Indian or Alaska Native" means a person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America, including Central America, and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment.

(2) "Asian" means a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, but not limited to, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.

(3) "Black or African American" means a person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. Terms such as "Haitian" or "Negro" can be used in addition to "Black or African American".

(4) "Hispanic or Latino" means a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.

(5) "Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander" means a person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.

(Source: P.A. 99-933, eff. 1-27-17; 100-698, eff. 1-1-19.)

(775 ILCS 5/3-102.10 new)

Sec. 3-102.10. Third-party loan modification service provider.

(A) It is a civil rights violation for a third-party loan modification service provider, because of unlawful discrimination, familial status, or an arrest record, to:

(1) refuse to engage in loan modification services;

(2) alter the terms, conditions, or privileges of such services; or

(3) discriminate in making such services available, including, but not limited to, by making a statement, advertisement, representation, inquiry, listing, offer, or solicitation that indicates a preference or the intention to make such a preference in making such services available.

(B) For purposes of this Section, "third-party loan modification service provider" means a person or entity, whether licensed or not, who, for or with the expectation of receiving consideration, provides assistance or services to a loan borrower to obtain a modification to a term of an existing real estate loan or to obtain foreclosure relief. "Third-party loan modification service provider" does not include lenders, brokers or appraisers of mortgage loans, or the servicers, subsidiaries, affiliates, or agents of the lender.

(775 ILCS 5/5A-101.1)

Sec. 5A-101.1. Notice.

(A) Every institution of higher education covered by this Act shall post in a prominent and accessible location a poster stating sexual harassment laws and policies. The poster shall be (i) posted and kept posted at each campus in common area positions easily accessible to all students including, but not limited to residence halls, administration buildings, student unions, cafeterias, and libraries or (ii) posted annually at each campus in common area positions easily accessible to all students including, but not limited to, residence halls, administration buildings, student unions, cafeterias, and libraries, with an electronic copy of the sexual harassment laws and policies also sent to each student at the time that registration materials are emailed or (iii) on campuses that provide for online registration of student classes, such information pertaining to sexual harassment laws and policies may be incorporated into the registration process so that students must review the policies and laws and acknowledge such review, prior to being allowed to register. Documents to be posted shall be retrieved from the Illinois Department of Human Rights website to satisfy posting requirements. Posting of the posters shall be effectuated within 90 days of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly and shall occur annually thereafter.

(B) The posted sexual harassment poster shall include, at a minimum, the following information: (i) the illegality of sexual harassment in higher education; (ii) the definition of sexual harassment under State law; (iii) a description of sexual harassment, utilizing examples; (iv) the institution's internal complaint process including penalties; (v) the legal recourse, investigative and complaint process available through the Department of Human Rights; (vi) directions on how to contact the Department; and (vii) protection against retaliation as provided by Sections Section 6-101 and 6-101.5 of this Act.

(C) Upon notification of a failure to post, the Department of Human Rights may launch a preliminary investigation. If the Department finds a failure to post, the Department may issue a notice to show cause giving the institution 30 days to correct the failure to post. If the failure to post is not corrected, the Department may initiate a charge of a civil rights violation.

(Source: P.A. 96-574, eff. 8-18-09.)

(775 ILCS 5/6-101) (from Ch. 68, par. 6-101)

Sec. 6-101. Additional civil rights violations under Articles 2, 4, 5, and 5A Additional Civil Rights Violations. It is a civil rights violation for a person, or for 2 two or more persons, to conspire, to:

(A) Retaliation. Retaliate against a person because he or she has opposed that which he or she reasonably and in good faith believes to be unlawful discrimination, sexual harassment in employment, or sexual harassment in elementary, secondary, and higher education, or discrimination based on arrest record or citizenship status in employment under Articles 2, 4, 5, and 5A, because he or she has made a charge, filed a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this Act, or because he or she has requested, attempted to request, used, or attempted to use a reasonable accommodation as allowed by this Act;

(B) Aiding and Abetting; Coercion. Aid, abet, compel or coerce a person to commit any violation of this Act;

(C) Interference. Wilfully interfere with the performance of a duty or the exercise of a power by the Commission or one of its members or representatives or the Department or one of its officers or employees.

Definitions. For the purposes of this Section, "sexual harassment" and "citizenship status" shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 2-101 of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 97-333, eff. 8-12-11; 98-1050, eff. 1-1-15.)

(775 ILCS 5/6-101.5 new)

Sec. 6-101.5. Additional civil rights violations under Article 3. It is a civil rights violation for a person, or for 2 or more persons, to conspire, to:

(A) retaliate against a person because the person has opposed that which he or she reasonably and in good faith believes to be unlawful discrimination or discrimination based on familial status or arrest record in a real estate transaction under Article 3, because the person has made a charge, filed a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this Act, or because the person has requested, attempted to request, used, or attempted to use a reasonable accommodation as allowed by this Act;

(B) aid, abet, compel, or coerce a person to commit any violation of this Act; or

(C) willfully interfere with the performance of a duty or the exercise of a power by the Commission or one of its members or representatives or the Department or one of its officers or employees.

For the purposes of this Section, "familial status" has the same meaning as defined in Section 3-101.

(775 ILCS 5/7A-101) (from Ch. 68, par. 7A-101)

Sec. 7A-101. The procedures specified in this Article shall apply solely to Articles 2, 4, 5, and 5A and Sections 6-101 and 6-102 of Article 6.

(Source: P.A. 86-910.)

(775 ILCS 5/7B-101) (from Ch. 68, par. 7B-101)

Sec. 7B-101. The procedures specified in this Article shall apply solely to Article 3 and Section 6-101.5 of Article 6.

(Source: P.A. 86-910.)

(775 ILCS 5/7B-102) (from Ch. 68, par. 7B-102)

Sec. 7B-102. Procedures.

(A) Charge.

(1) Within one year after the date that a civil rights violation allegedly has been committed or terminated, a charge in writing under oath or affirmation may be filed with the Department by an aggrieved party or issued by the Department itself under the signature of the Director.

(2) The charge shall be in such detail as to substantially apprise any party properly concerned as to the time, place, and facts surrounding the alleged civil rights violation.

(B) Notice and Response to Charge.

(1) The Department shall serve notice upon the aggrieved party acknowledging such charge and advising the aggrieved party of the time limits and choice of forums provided under this Act. The Department shall, within 10 days of the date on which the charge was filed or the identification of an additional respondent under paragraph (2) of this subsection, serve on the respondent a copy of the charge along with a notice identifying the alleged civil rights violation and advising the respondent of the procedural rights and obligations of respondents under this Act and may require the respondent to file a response to the allegations contained in the charge. Upon the Department's request, the respondent shall file a response to the charge within 30 days and shall serve a copy of its response on the complainant or his or her representative. Notwithstanding any request from the Department, the respondent may elect to file a response to the charge within 30 days of receipt of notice of the charge, provided the respondent serves a copy of its response on the complainant or his or her representative. All allegations contained in the charge not denied by the respondent within 30 days after the Department's request for a response may be deemed admitted, unless the respondent states that it is without sufficient information to form a belief with respect to such allegation. The Department may issue a notice of default directed to any respondent who fails to file a response to a charge within 30 days of the Department's request, unless the respondent can demonstrate good cause as to why such notice should not issue. The term "good cause" shall be defined by rule promulgated by the Department. Within 10 days of the date he or she receives the respondent's response, the complainant may file his or her reply to said response. If he or she chooses to file a reply, the complainant shall serve a copy of said reply on the respondent or his or her representative. A party may supplement his or her response or reply at any time that the investigation of the charge is pending.

(2) A person who is not named as a respondent in a charge, but who is identified as a respondent in the course of investigation, may be joined as an additional or substitute respondent upon written notice, under subsection (B), to such person, from the Department. Such notice, in addition to meeting the requirements of subsections (A) and (B), shall explain the basis for the Department's belief that a person to whom the notice is addressed is properly joined as a respondent.

(C) Investigation.

(1) The Department shall conduct a full investigation of the allegations set forth in the charge and complete such investigation within 100 days after the filing of the charge, unless it is impracticable to do so. The Department's failure to complete the investigation within 100 days after the proper filing of the charge does not deprive the Department of jurisdiction over the charge.

(2) If the Department is unable to complete the investigation within 100 days after the charge is filed, the Department shall notify the complainant and respondent in writing of the reasons for not doing so. The failure of the Department to notify the complainant or respondent in writing of the reasons for not doing so shall not deprive the Department of jurisdiction over the charge.

(3) The Director or his or her designated representative shall have authority to request any member of the Commission to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of a witness or the production for examination of any books, records or documents whatsoever.

(4) If any witness whose testimony is required for any investigation resides outside the State, or through illness or any other good cause as determined by the Director is unable to be interviewed by the investigator or appear at a fact finding conference, his or her testimony or deposition may be taken, within or without the State, in the same manner as provided for in the taking of depositions in civil cases in circuit courts.

(5) Upon reasonable notice to the complainant and the respondent, the Department may conduct a fact finding conference. When requested by the Department, a party's failure to attend the conference without good cause may result in dismissal or default. A notice of dismissal or default shall be issued by the Director and shall notify the relevant party that a request for review may be filed in writing with the Commission within 30 days of receipt of notice of dismissal or default.

(D) Report.

(1) Each charge investigated under subsection (C) shall be the subject of a report to the Director. The report shall be a confidential document subject to review by the Director, authorized Department employees, the parties, and, where indicated by this Act, members of the Commission or their designated hearing officers.

The report shall contain:

(a) the names and dates of contacts with witnesses;

(b) a summary and the date of correspondence and other contacts with the aggrieved party and the respondent;

(c) a summary description of other pertinent records;

(d) a summary of witness statements; and

(e) answers to questionnaires.

A final report under this paragraph may be amended if additional evidence is later discovered.

(2) Upon review of the report and within 100 days of the filing of the charge, unless it is impracticable to do so, the Director shall determine whether there is substantial evidence that the alleged civil rights violation has been committed or is about to be committed. If the Director is unable to make the determination within 100 days after the filing of the charge, the Director shall notify the complainant and respondent in writing of the reasons for not doing so. The Director's failure to make the determination within 100 days after the proper filing of the charge does not deprive the Department of jurisdiction over the charge.

(a) If the Director determines that there is no substantial evidence, the charge shall be dismissed and the aggrieved party notified that he or she may seek review of the dismissal order before the Commission. The aggrieved party shall have 90 days from receipt of notice to file a request for review by the Commission. The Director shall make public disclosure of each such dismissal.

(b) If the Director determines that there is substantial evidence, he or she shall immediately issue a complaint on behalf of the aggrieved party pursuant to subsection (F).

(E) Conciliation.

(1) During the period beginning with the filing of charge and ending with the filing of a complaint or a dismissal by the Department, the Department shall, to the extent feasible, engage in conciliation with respect to such charge.

When the Department determines that a formal conciliation conference is feasible, the aggrieved party and respondent shall be notified of the time and place of the conference by registered or certified mail at least 7 days prior thereto and either or both parties shall appear at the conference in person or by attorney.

(2) The place fixed for the conference shall be within 35 miles of the place where the civil rights violation is alleged to have been committed.

(3) Nothing occurring at the conference shall be made public or used as evidence in a subsequent proceeding for the purpose of proving a violation under this Act unless the complainant and respondent agree in writing that such disclosure be made.

(4) A conciliation agreement arising out of such conciliation shall be an agreement between the respondent and the complainant, and shall be subject to approval by the Department and Commission.

(5) A conciliation agreement may provide for binding arbitration of the dispute arising from the charge. Any such arbitration that results from a conciliation agreement may award appropriate relief, including monetary relief.

(6) Each conciliation agreement shall be made public unless the complainant and respondent otherwise agree and the Department determines that disclosure is not required to further the purpose of this Act.

(F) Complaint.

(1) When there is a failure to settle or adjust any charge through a conciliation conference and the charge is not dismissed, the Department shall prepare a written complaint, under oath or affirmation, stating the nature of the civil rights violation and the relief sought on behalf of the aggrieved party. Such complaint shall be based on the final investigation report and need not be limited to the facts or grounds alleged in the charge filed under subsection (A).

(2) The complaint shall be filed with the Commission.

(3) The Department may not issue a complaint under this Section regarding an alleged civil rights violation after the beginning of the trial of a civil action commenced by the aggrieved party under any State or federal law, seeking relief with respect to that alleged civil rights violation.

(G) Time Limit.

(1) When a charge of a civil rights violation has been properly filed, the Department, within 100 days thereof, unless it is impracticable to do so, shall either issue and file a complaint in the manner and form set forth in this Section or shall order that no complaint be issued. Any such order shall be duly served upon both the aggrieved party and the respondent. The Department's failure to either issue and file a complaint or order that no complaint be issued within 100 days after the proper filing of the charge does not deprive the Department of jurisdiction over the charge.

(2) The Director shall make available to the aggrieved party and the respondent, at any time, upon request following completion of the Department's investigation, information derived from an investigation and any final investigative report relating to that investigation.

(H) This amendatory Act of 1995 applies to causes of action filed on or after January 1, 1996.

(I) The changes made to this Section by Public Act 95-243 apply to charges filed on or after the effective date of those changes.

(J) The changes made to this Section by this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly apply to charges filed on or after the effective date of those changes.

(Source: P.A. 100-492, eff. 9-8-17; 100-1066, eff. 8-24-18; 101-530, eff. 1-1-20.)

(775 ILCS 5/8A-101) (from Ch. 68, par. 8A-101)

Sec. 8A-101. This Article shall apply solely to Articles 2, 4, 5, and 5A and Sections 6-101 and 6-102 of Article 6.

(Source: P.A. 86-910.)

(775 ILCS 5/8B-101) (from Ch. 68, par. 8B-101)

Sec. 8B-101. Applicability. The procedures and relief specified in this Article shall apply solely to complaints filed with the Human Rights Commission under Article 3 and Section 6-101.5 of Article 6.

(Source: P.A. 86-910.)